Former Team GB star who won medals at three Olympics is now making his own way in entirely new career as a PILOT

FORMER Olympic gold medallist Matt Langridge has swapped rowing boats for aeroplanes since hanging up his oars in 2016.

Langridge, 40, is an incredibly decorated British athlete, having won three Olympic medals in the men’s eight rowing category.

Matt Langridge won Olympic gold in 2016PA

Instagram @matt_langridge8Langridge is now a fully qualified pilot[/caption]

Instagram @matt_langridge8The 40-year-old now works for Wizz Air[/caption]

Following an amazing career that saw him also capture two World Championship golds, the Crewe-born star called it a day in order to follow his other great passion.

Explaining how he fell in love with flying, he explained in his Flight Global blog: “From a young age I always dreamed of becoming a pilot.

“I can still remember my first flight; a novelty flight from Manchester Airport just before Christmas.

“We circled the airport and midway through Father Christmas appeared to give presents to all the children.

“While everyone else was overcome with excitement at seeing Father Christmas in his red suit, I was fascinated by the pilots in their smart uniforms and the incredible aircraft.”

After taking up rowing as a 14-year-old, Langridge soon realised that to make it at the very top, it would take all of his time and dedication – in other words, flying could wait.

Langridge won silver in Beijing in 2008, before adding bronze at London 2012.

After achieving gold in Rio, he felt it was time to make a change.

“Having achieved one of the sport’s biggest accolades, I felt it was now a good time to bow out of life as an athlete and revisit my other great passion of aviation,” Langridge added.

As he searched for a place to learn his new craft, he discovered the Skyborne Airline Academy, based at Gloucestershire Airport.

From there he embarked on a four-year course in a bid to become a fully qualified commercial pilot.

In 2017, Langridge was awarded an MBE by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace.

At the time, he said: “I trained for the gold medal but to receive an MBE is a great honour.”

Back on his aviation course, there were plenty of challenges along the way.

Langridge broke his leg in 2017, before having to finish some of his course virtually due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Describing the perks of the job after completing his first solo flights, Langridge wrote: “The views at 10,000ft are breathtaking, so when you do get a brief moment to peer out of the cockpit window it’s a great reminder of what the hard work is all about.”

Following the completion of his course, Langridge couldn’t help but notice the similarity with his previous profession.

He wrote on Instagram in November 2022: “It’s been a long road (another four year cycle) and although the learning will never stop, I’m pleased to say with the completion of my first line check, my flight training is officially complete.

“As with my previous career, I couldn’t have done it without all the support from family and friends so for that I’d like to say a huge thank you.”

Langridge initially worried about how long he may be out of the air as he began his job hunt.

But he needn’t have worried as, now fully qualified, Langridge works as a first officer for Wizz Air.

In addition to his pilot day job, he also works as a motivational speaker, having truly mastered two crafts.

The rower was subsequently awarded an MBEPA

GettyLangridge experienced picturesque settings both in rowing and aviation[/caption]